Neser had to dash back to Australia for the match after electing to play his first off-season in England league cricket for Todmorden. Injuries have stalled the 24-year-old’s progress in the domestic ranks, but when fit he can sling 150km/h thunderbolts down the pitch and has a first-class high score of 77 with the bat.

He said he was looking forward to testing himself at the next level in his first trip to Townsville.

“I’m looking forward to playing in a new part of the world,” he said.

“I was selected for Australia A three years ago in a Prime Minister’s XI against Sri Lanka, but I didn’t end up playing because the match was rained out.

“It’s going to be great to be part of the Australia A tour.”

Australia A will play South Africa A at Tony Ireland Stadium as part of a four-way development series also featuring teams from India and the National Performance Unit.

The two games in Townsville feature Australia A playing the South Africans in a pair of four-day matches at Tony Ireland from Thursday to Sunday, and then August 14-17.

Gates open each day at 8.30am with session times of 9.30-11.30am, 12.10-2.10pm and 2.30-4.30pm.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 concession and children 15 and under are free.